Fun With Public Transport Data

Thus, when I discovered that Sydney’s public transport system data is available to download, it seemed only logical that I should involve a map somewhere. The result is a map to show you where you can live if you want to be within “x” minutes of the city by train. I defined the city to be any of the following stations: Central, Circular Quay, Martin Place, Museum, St James, Town Hall, Wynyard.

There are some unexpected results, because the trains don’t stop at all stations for every journey.

For example:

The central corridor supported by T2 inner west line and T1 western line has the best density of minimum times across all stations.

Getting to the city from Sutherland or Campbelltown is faster than getting to the city from Hornsby or Pennant Hills.

Bondi Junction is a measly 7 minutes away!

The fastest train to Glenfield is 14 minutes faster than to its neighbouring station, Macquarie Fields.

Eastwood station is just 21 minutes to the city, faster than 3 stations on either side of it.

Burwood, Ashfield and Petersham – all on the same line – have almost the same minimum travel time at 10 or 11 minutes.

You can explore the map yourself at http://daphnechong.github.io/transport-maps/. I’d like to do a lot more on it, such as adding the bus and ferry timetables and identifying the individual lines, but it’s a work in progress. If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them!